NDP MP rarely on Parliament Hill billed taxpayers for travel with family over Christmas
CBC
An NDP MP who frequently joins parliamentary proceedings remotely from her riding billed the House of Commons for a trip she took to reportedly meet with "stakeholders" over the Christmas holidays in Quebec — travel that included bringing her husband and kids along at taxpayers' expense.
Parliamentary travel records indicate NDP MP Niki Ashton was only in Ottawa on one occasion for four days during the fall 2022 sitting.
But on Dec. 21 of that year, Ashton flew from Thompson, Man. to Ottawa — five days after the House of Commons had already risen for its Christmas break.
Ashton's partner Bruce Moncur, a former NDP nomination candidate, and their two children also made the trip with the MP to the nation's capital.
Then, on Christmas Day, 2022, the family of four travelled to Quebec City. Ashton billed the Commons for some of the expenses they incurred along the way.
Social media posts show Moncur and the children took in some of Quebec City's winter attractions, including an ice slide and snow tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier outside the city centre.
Ashton is also seen in those posts skating with her children and visiting the city's German Christmas Market.
In an Instagram post, Ashton thanked "progressive activists" for sharing their "inspiring work."
The trip cost taxpayers $17,641.12, including $13,619.90 for airfare and other transportation, $2,508.39 for accommodations and $1,512.83 for meals and other incidentals, according to Commons records.
Ashton justified billing taxpayers for the trip by claiming she was going to the provincial capital to "attend meetings with stakeholders about business of the House" over the holidays, according to House of Commons travel records.
Ashton's office referred inquiries about the travel to a party spokesperson.
Reached by phone Wednesday, an NDP spokesperson said Ashton was in Quebec City "to discuss language priorities" because she's the party's critic for official languages and needed to "find out things she needs to prioritize."
Ashton also "met with a union person," the spokesperson said.
On Dec. 30, 2022, Ashton, Moncur and their children then travelled to Montreal. Ashton again cited "meetings with stakeholders" as the reason for claiming expenses.
The new Ontario Line will include protective barriers at all stations to separate platforms from the tracks, something the Toronto Transit Commission has been considering adding to its subway system for years.
This First Person column is the experience of Andrew Stetson, a writer and storyteller in P.E.I. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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